WASHINGTON – A former manager in the District of Columbia tax office on Tuesday admitted to cutting more than 200 fraudulent property-tax refund checks in a scheme that drained more than $48 million from the city’s treasury over almost two decades.

Harriette Walters, 51, pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering and tax evasion. The agreement calls for Walters to serve 15 to 18 years in prison and to pay restitution. U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan accepted the plea provisionally, pending his approval of the sentence. No sentencing date has been set.

Walters, a city employee since 1981, admitted to stealing more than $48 million by issuing the refunds to friends and relatives, then sharing the proceeds with them. Nine other people have pleaded guilty in the tax scam.

Walters assured the judge she understood the agreement.

“It would give me an opportunity to get out of prison and go home and see my family,” she said, choking up. She acknowledged she would never be able to pay back the money.

Sullivan said he had “serious doubts” whether 15 to 18 years was a long enough sentence, but he will likely approve the sentence if the parties’ calculations under the sentencing guidelines are correct.

“We’re talking about a loss of $48 million to the taxpayers of the District of Columbia. Forty-eight million dollars! That’s unheard of in the history of jurisprudence in this city,” said Sullivan, a D.C. native. “The sad truth here is that the city is never going to be made whole for this loss.” Had the case gone to trial, Walters could have received up to 30 years, Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy G. Lynch said.